In District 12, a Republican is challenging a long-standing Democratic leader.

Louisville Metro Council District 12 is dominated by Pleasure Ridge Park. Since the merger between Louisville and Jefferson County, Rick Blackwell has been the Democratic councilman in District 12.

"It's just as exciting as it was on day one, actually. I really feel like I've been able to voice concerns in our area and get some things accomplished, but we've got a lot more to do. So I want continue to work on the momentum we've built," said Blackwell.

Blackwell is the service learning coordinator at Mercy Academy. He has been an educator for 28 years and is a life-long south-ender. He is married and has one son.

Blackwell said he is the voice for the southwest.

His opponent is Republican Richard Rosenberger.

"I don't feel we're getting good representation on that end of town and somebody needs to step up and take the bull by the horns," said Rosenberger.

Rosenberger is an industrial maintenance technician at Zappos. He is married and has three children.

His big issues are creating jobs and making council financially transparent.

"I'd say one of the big issues is the accountability and the invisibility of what Metro Council does and where the money's being spent," said Rosenberger. "Jobs out in the area are scarce and it's all blue-collar jobs. There's virtually very little white-collar jobs. No white-collar jobs, then you're not going to get the upper income, the better restaurants, better department stores."

Blackwell, who has never been tied to any impropriety on council, said he's proud of what he's achieved, including helping Cafe Press move its headquarters to Louisville, bringing an additional 600 jobs here.

"I think experience matters. I've been able to forge relationships and partnerships with state (representatives), with the governor, with businesses in the area and so on to move the items that I've talked about. None of those things happen because of Rick Blackwell. They happen because I've worked together with other people to make things happen," said Blackwell.

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